The federal government takes on the ambitious goal of tackling the opioid crisis here in Illinois.

If all goes well, it'll make a big dent within the next three years. Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) spoke Monday at Rosecrance's Griffin Williamson Campus. The plan is to reduce the number of opioid-related deaths in Illinois by 33%. Kinzinger says education is key in helping to solve the epidemic.

"Young people in school need to understand that the first time yo uabuse an opiate, you may as well just assume you'll end up in recovery," said Kinzinger.

Rosecrance says opioids have been involved in more than 11,000 deaths in Illinois 2008.

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Adam Kinzinger is a member of the Air National Guard. Use of his military rank, job titles, and photographs in uniform does not imply endorsement by the Department of the Air Force or the Department of Defense.